Published 7:53 pm, Saturday, January 21, 2017

MARQUETTE — Northern Michigan shot nearly 60 percent from the floor and had a big advantage at the foul line Saturday, beating visiting Northwood 100-79 in GLIAC men’s basketball. The Wildcats improve to 6-10 overall and 4-7 in the conference, while the Timberwolves slip to 4-16, 2-9.

NMU took a 52-42 lead into halftime, then outscored NU 48-37 in the second half.

The Wildcats shot 59 percent (32 of 54) from the floor overall, including 55 percent (12 of 22) from 3-point range, while Northwood shot 52 percent (33 of 64) overall but only 28 percent (5 of 18) from beyond the arc. Northern also made 24 of 31 free throws to only 8 of 13 for the Timberwolves, enabling the Wildcats to overcome NU’s 52-29 advantage in points in the paint.

Naba Echols was 14 of 15 from the foul line and finished with 26 points and six assists for NMU, while Jordan Perez had 23 points, Isaiah Johnson 21 points, and Marcus Matelski 13 points.

Matt Crowl was 12 of 17 from the floor and 7 of 7 from the foul line for NU, finishing with a career-high 32 points, while Nick Spitzley added 15 points, and Kyle Lamotte had nine points.

The Timberwolves head to Wayne State on Thursday for a 7:30 p.m. game.